Cauliflower is an often overlooked vegetable. However, it is a rich source of fiber and full of antioxidants. Add cauliflower to your diet to boost nutrition and to enjoy a delicious, healthy vegetable.
Cauliflower Nutrition & Calorie Information
Cauliflower is a healthy snack and a wonderful addition to any meal. This vegetable is delicious raw and is also easy to cook. Cauliflower contains antioxidants that work as part of a healthy diet to help prevent cancer. Cauliflower helps detox the body by helping the digestive system remove toxins. Cauliflower contains vitamins B6 , C and K, folate, potassium and manganese. Cauliflower is also a strong source of fiber.
Cauliflower is great for a healthy snack. Cauliflower has only about 29 calories per cup. This snack is healthy, filling, and low in calories. This crunchy vegetable has a nutty taste when raw.
According to WHFoods, cauliflower “contains compounds that may help prevent cancer. These compounds appear to stop enzymes from activating cancer-causing agents in the body, and they increase the activity of enzymes that disable and eliminate carcinogens.”
Cauliflower is a wonderful addition to a healthy eating regime. As mentioned above, cauliflower may help to prevent cancer and is also believed to be helpful to heart health.
Tips on How to Cook Cauliflower
You don’t need to cook cauliflower to enjoy its great taste and health benefits. Cauliflower is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Here are some ideas on how to include raw cauliflower in your diet:
1. Great for Picnics and Work Snacks
Since cauliflower is a delicious snack raw, it is safe to pack for picnics, a day at the beach, or for a work snack. Cauliflower is great for a snack break as it is easy to eat, is a great finger food that is not messy, and is packed with nutrients.
2. Great for Fussy Eaters
Teenagers and kids who are aversive to green vegetables may have an easier time eating cauliflower. The white color of cauliflower makes it a bit exotic and interesting. The horrid green vegetable color that sends many teens into rebellion mode is absent with cauliflower.
3. Great for a Vegetable Buffet Table
Cauliflower is a great addition to any vegetable buffet table. Cauliflower also mixes well with many other vegetables in salads such as spinach, arugula, peppers, cucumbers, avocado, tomato, and broccoli.
How to Cook Cauliflower
Although you can easily throw a bunch of chopped cauliflower into a pot of boiling water to cook it, some of its nutrients will be lost this way . To help preserve the nutrients in cauliflower, here are some suggestions on tasty ways to cook it:
Steamed Cauliflower
It is fast and easy to lightly steam cauliflower florets in a double boiler or in the microwave. Serve with a mix of curry and plain yogurt to the side or over the cauliflower. Another idea is to mix cinnamon, honey , and plain yogurt and serve over or to the side of the cauliflower.
Steamed cauliflower is also delicious when served with slices of mandarin orange, goat cheese, strawberries, and balsamic vinaigrette.
Cauliflower & Pepper Sauté
Quickly sauté cauliflower in a pan on the stovetop. Start by cooking diced onion and garlic in either olive oil, butter or your favorite healthy cooking oil . Add chopped cauliflower florets and chopped red and yellow peppers. Sauté lightly until all vegetables are warmed and then serve immediately. Serve with plain yogurt either to the side or mixed in with the vegetables to coat them.
Sources:
https://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2390/2
https://caloriecount.about.com/calories-cauliflower-i11761
